Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Callum
It’s been three days since my mam got here. We’re all gathering to get the results of the DNA test. Cillian and I said even if we aren’t blood brothers, we’re still brothers. But I’m almost positive we are.
“The anticipation is like on those talk shows. ‘WHO’S THE FATHER’.” Ares Athanasiou laughs.
“Wait you watch shit like that?” his brother Apollo looks at him.
“Shut up.”
We all laugh as we see Lorenzo coming into the room, he’s waiving an envelope around. In true dramatic form, he stands in front of everyone and opens both envelopes. He reads them over, and somehow he doesn’t give anything away with his facial expressions.
“Okay, are you all ready?” he asks.
“Come on, Fratellino.” Domenico says as he tries to take the papers from Lorenzo.
“Hey! These are important legal papers, don’t put your grimy hockey hands on them.”
Domenico stares at his little brother…then tackles him to the ground.
“It’s like a side show before the main event.” I laugh.
“I definitely do not claim them as my children. I raised better kids than this.” Enea sighs.
“What? We’re innocent.” Sebastiano says.
“Perfect angels.” Giovanna smiles.
Lorenzo clears his throat as he glares at his sibling. I definitely missed out being an only child.
“As I was saying. So in the matter of Cillian and Callum being brothers…”
“Oh for fucks sake. Spit it out!” Sebastiano stares at him.
“So much for perfect angel.” Salvatore laughs.
“Ugh. You all suck.” He says squinting at all of them. Then he turns to Cillian and me. “ You are brothers!”
Everyone cheers as Cillian and I hug each other and then our mams. Francesco comes over to us and hugs us too.
“So the question is, do you still want us to find this man? Sebastiano and I love a challenge. But we wanted to make sure it’s what you both want.”
I look at Cillian.
“I think I still want to know.”
Cillian nods at me.
“I’d like to know why he did this. Why was he with me for three years and then just left? And he did the same to Fiona.” Teagan says to Francesco.
“Okay, we’re on it. If either of you think of anything that could help, let us know. I really want to find you some answers before both of you have to go home.”
“I really appreciate all you’re doing. And I’m so happy that my Callum has found all of you. But this needs to be said. The next time my boy is in the hospital, I expect a call from someone.” Fiona stares at all of them.
“Wait. Callum didn’t tell you what had happened?” Graínne asks.
“No, he told me in the car when they got me at the airport.”
“Callum…are you serious? I thought you knew. And I’m so sorry. We’ll all make sure that we have your number and you have all of ours.” Graínne says as she frowns at me.
Great. Now all the parents are mad at me.
“Thank you. I already yelled at Callum and Moira for not telling me. And they didn’t even tell me Moira was having problems. I met and found out about Noah in the same car ride.”
“Busted.” Cillian whispers to me.
I glare at him.
“You’ll be in the same position if you do that to me, Cillian McGregor.” Teagan snaps at him.
“Hey, I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Yet.” She says as she squints at him.
“Ha-ha.” I whisper and nudge him. “I think I’m going to like being able to blame my older sibling.”
Moira
I love how happy Callum has been after they got the confirmation that he and Cillian are brothers. Now to find out who their father is. And maybe they can all get the closure they need on that part of their life.
“Do you want to get to know your father?” I ask Callum as we’re getting ready for bed.
“I’ve asked myself that. And honestly? I don’t think so, especially knowing how much he hurt my mam.
That’s the worst part for me. I don’t remember him, so I didn’t miss him in the same way.
Mam knew him, or she thought she did, and so she had to mourn the relationship she thought she was going to have.
The family that he promised. I’ve been wondering if he’s done this to any more women. ”
“I’ve wondered that too. What if there are more brothers and sisters?”
“Remind me to ask Franco and Bastian if they could look for that too. I can’t even imagine it if he’s done this to others. And left more women and children wondering what they did wrong.”
I hug him. “You have a new family and your mam is the best woman to have raised you. She’s strong and so loving. I wish my mother had been even a tiny bit as good as yours.”
“Mo chridhe, I’m so sorry that your parents were so bad. While I’ll never understand why my faither chose to leave us…I think what your parents did is even worse. And I hope I never meet them because I have a few words that I’d like to say to them. And they wont like it.”
“I’m okay now. I wish you had been able to meet my grandparents. They would’ve loved you so much. And they gave me everything they could, I know they loved me and that’s the best thing I could’ve asked for. So I know I have issues. But I also know how it feels to be loved.”
“I love that about you, no matter what you’ve been through, you still love with all your heart. And I still can’t believe you chose me.”
I kiss him. “We chose each other. You’re not just the love of my life, you’re my best friend. And that’s the best part. I see people say oh he’s my person or my love. But to me? You’re my best friend first, I can talk to you about anything. And you always make me feel safe. Thank you for that.”
“Moira, you are everything to me. And I don’t say that lightly. I love kissing you before I close my eyes at night and when I open them in the morning. I think of you all day long and can’t wait to be with you when I’m not.”
I snuggle into Callum as I listen to him. I’ve heard my besties talking about their men and how they say these things to them. But I never thought I would ever find mine. And now that I have, I don’t ever want to know what it would be like without him.